Ohio became the 39th state in the country to ban texting while driving on June 1 when Governor John Kasich signed House Bill 99 into law after four years of deliberation by Ohio lawmakers.
The new law will take effect in August 2012 and will make texting while operating a motor vehicle a secondary offense for adults, which means the driver can be ticketed for texting only if the driver is pulled over for another traffic violation
For those under the age 18, the law will ban the use of any electronic devices except hands-free, voice-activated GPS. A violation of the law is considered a primary offense, so minors can be pulled over exclusively for the use of any electronic device while driving.
Some would like to have seen the law enforce tougher standards on the use of electronic devices while driving, but many believe indeed the law is a step in the right direction for keeping drivers distraction-free while on the road.
Drive Safely!